District survey results are in

By Iva Kay Horner Publisher/Editor

Posted:
06/25/2013 09:07:17 AM MDT

Updated:
06/25/2013 09:08:15 AM MDT

The surveys have been sent and of the more than 4,200 mailed to voters in the Brush School District recently, district administration had received more than 250 public comments in regards to a Mill Levy Override (MLO).At last week's meeting of the Board of Education (BOE), Superintendent Dr. Michelle Johnstone reported that of the 559 or 13 percent received as of the meeting on Tuesday, more than 49 percent or 250-plus, contained comments, which have been read multiple times."We are at 13.2 percent of returns or about a quarter of active voters," School Business Officer Aaron Oberg stated. "That's phenomenal."When asked whether voters agreed that an MLO, which would help recover a portion of the reduction in state funding and provide adequate opportunities for Brush students, 191 or 34.1 percent agreed, while 325 or 58.1 percent disagreed with the proposal. Another 43 or 7.8 percent had no opinion either way.The survey also asked voters if the district should move forward with placing the MLO on the November ballot. Of those returned, 80 or 14.3 percent strongly agree, while 111 or 19.9 percent agree. Those disagreeing with placing the issue on the ballot stood at 106 or 19 percent, with 237 or 42.4 percent strongly disagreeing. Another 25 or 4.4 percent had no opinion.If the measure is placed on the ballot and approved by voters, it could raise between $950,000 to $1 million for the Brush district.Oberg also provided a brief update on the auction of district items held recently at Brush Middle School.

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"All of the buses went for more than we anticipated. We anticipated between $1,300 and $1,500 per bus, but they went for $1,900 to $2,100 each," he explained. "We were definitely pleasantly surprised."Buyers from the June 8 auction came from all over including Akron, Greeley, Ft. Collins and New Mexico."We were very happy with the turnout," he commented, adding that final numbers will be available at the next board meeting.In other financial matters, board members approved resolutions regarding the Pupil Activity Agency Fund, as well as the Beginning Fund Balance. Both, according to Oberg, are required by state statute.After brief discussion and agreement to add an assistant science fair sponsorship stipend for the middle school at Step 11 ($3,300), board members approved a resolution to adopt the 2013-14 annual budget, with Oberg reminding BOE members that the audit begins July 1.Anyone with questions regarding financial matters pertaining to the district is encouraged to contact Oberg at the district office, 842-5176, or by visiting the district's website at brushschools.org under "District' and pull down to "Financial Transparency".In other business, Superintendent Johnstone reported there were 13 applicants for the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Brush Middle School. Prescreening interviews for seven candidates were held, with a community forum held at 6 p.m. on Monday of this week.The superintendent also reported that, in its first week, all buildings in the district were reporting good attendance in the summer school program. The program continues this week, takes a one-week break and continues July 8-19.She also noted the district is moving ahead with its security measures, with Maintenance Director Barry Quinlin in the process of measuring buildings for wiring.Mike Dixon, who also serves on the board for EAGLE-Net Alliance, reported that after being shut down for a brief period of time, the entity is back up and going. "There are a lot of good things happening. They're back in business…doing construction.""Brush is hooked up. There have been a lot of challenges with that, but it looks like you've got a good project," board president Don Dillehay commented. BOE members also approved Dixon's application for consideration to continue as a member of the EAGLE-Net Alliance board.Board member Warren Walker asked for an update on the summer lunch and breakfast program, with Superintendent Johnstone explaining, "The number are much higher at the park than we originally anticipated." According to her report, the district has been serving approximately 70 for lunch."We also are getting good numbers at the other schools for breakfast and lunch," Oberg added."I am excited about all of the work going into school improvement and all the goals we have for the district," Dillehay stated. "This is more of a plan and a bigger plan than we've had for a long time…this is all pretty exciting."Board members approved a mission statement for the district that reads, “Our mission is to provide a safe educational environment for students and staff in our pursuit to become a premier school district in Colorado, ensuring that each student has solid roots and agile wings to attain any dream.”The board also examined, and approved, a job description for a preschool director, which the district currently does not have, according to the superintendent. She further explained the district is working with the Head Start program to partner that position, with each entity taking financial responsibility for half. Currently, the position is funded by Head Start."It's a duplication of effort to have one for us and one for Head Start," Dr. Johnstone told the board.With one change, board members approved the consensus agenda that included the employment of Amelia Baltazar as ESL teacher and Natasha Ray, preschool teacher at Thomson Primary School. Employed at Beaver Valley Elementary School were Michelle Stockham, third grade teacher and Sarah Brunkhardt as a Special Education paraprofessional. New faces at Brush Middle School include Dana Smith, seventh grade language arts, Sharon Rutz, ESL/Reading Intervention and Cary Holman in math intervention.New personnel at Brush High School will be Jamie Blatter, Family & Consumer Science, Bradley Bass, social studies and Travis Minne, math teacher.Additional action included employment of Kim Kraich as the high school head girls basketball coach and Randall Pfeiffer as a bus driver. Board members also approved the transfer of Aaron Cummings from Thomson to the middle school as the physical education teacher, and Ellen Simmons from Beaver Valley to a language arts teaching position at the middle school, as well as the retirement of Judith Hepner, middle school computer applications teacher, effective August 31.The board acknowledged and thanked Greg McKenzie for assisting with the evaluation of Dr. Johnstone, with Walker commenting, "If you have ever tried it the old way, this way is a breath of fresh air.""It's nice to have something that's really truly meaningful. This gives a massive amount of information. It's really good," Dixon added.The board will next meet on July 16 at the Long Meadow Event Center, for their annual all-day retreat.The next meeting of the board has been scheduled for August 13, at 7 p.m. at the district office with a work session to preview policies set for 5 p.m.